JP7446670B2 - Axle support structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an axle support structure in a vehicle.

As a support structure for an axle in a vehicle, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a hub bearing is sometimes used in which the axle that rotates integrally with the wheel is on the inner ring side, and the outer ring side is connected to the vehicle body.

An example of an axle support structure that employs such a hub bearing is shown in FIG. 2.

In this axle support structure, an outer ring member 31 of a hub bearing 3 is fixed to, for example, a rear axle beam end 11 on the vehicle body side via a retainer 2, and a drive unit integrated with an inner ring member 32 of the hub bearing 3, for example, An axle 4 serving as a shaft is rotatably supported. The outer ring member 31 and the retainer 2 are connected by fastening means using bolts 211 by overlapping a flange 311 provided on the outer periphery of the outer ring member 31 and the retainer 2. Further, in this state, the inner end 31b of the outer ring member 31 in the vehicle width direction is tightly fitted into the center hole 22 of the retainer 2, thereby positioning the hub bearing 3 with respect to the retainer 2.

Further, a magnetic encoder 5, which is an element of the vehicle speed detection means, is provided at the inner end of the hub bearing 3. In order to prevent foreign matter from entering the part where the magnetic encoder 5 is provided, the axle 4 is A flange-shaped dust ring 41 is provided on the outer periphery. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a notch 223 is provided at the inner end of the center hole 22 of the retainer 2, and the dust ring 41 is positioned close to the notch 223 to form a labyrinth. Improves the effectiveness of preventing intrusion.

However, the axle support structure shown in FIG. 2 has the following problems.

First, in order to position the hub bearing 3 relative to the retainer 2 in the vehicle width direction, it is necessary to interpose an adjustment member such as a spacer between the flange 311 of the outer ring member 31 and the retainer 2, which reduces assembly man-hours and The number of parts increases.

Second, the center hole 22 of the retainer 2 into which the inner end 31b of the outer ring member 31 in the vehicle width direction fits needs to be precisely polished, but the axial area to be precisely polished is wide, increasing the processing cost. do.

Thirdly, shortening of the distance (bolt pitch) P between the bolt 211 and the axle axis L is inhibited, which becomes a factor that inhibits miniaturization and weight reduction of the retainer 2 and the hub bearing 3.

JP2018-8556A

The present invention was devised under the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is easy to adjust the position of the retainer and hub bearing in the vehicle width direction, and it is possible to further reduce the size and weight of the retainer and hub bearing. The objective is to provide a support structure for an axle.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following technical means.

That is, the axle support structure provided by the present invention supports the outer ring member of the hub bearing via a retainer that is connected to the vehicle body side member and has a center hole, and the inner ring member of the hub bearing has the center hole. In an axle support structure that integrates a passing axle and supports the axle so that the axle can rotate about its axis, an abutment surface where an inner end surface of the outer ring member in the vehicle width direction abuts an outer part of the center hole in the vehicle width direction. It is characterized by providing an enlarged diameter portion having a diameter.

When assembling the hub bearing to the retainer, the inner end of the outer ring member in the vehicle width direction comes into contact with the abutment surface formed in the enlarged diameter part of the center hole of the retainer. It also applies to positioning in the direction (axle axis direction). The enlarged diameter part, which is also involved in positioning the hub bearing relative to the retainer in the direction perpendicular to the axle axis, is precisely machined, so the above-mentioned positioning of the hub bearing in the vehicle width direction can also be done accurately without the need for spacers, etc. It will be held in As a result, an increase in the number of man-hours for assembling the axle support structure and an increase in the number of parts are not caused.

Positioning of the retainer and the hub bearing in the direction perpendicular to the axle axis is performed by fitting the inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion provided in the center hole of the retainer to the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the outer ring member. Since the axial length of the enlarged diameter portion is shorter than the total length of the center hole, less precision machining area is required for accurate positioning, and machining costs can be suppressed.

Compared to fitting the outer ring member of the hub bearing into the center hole of the retainer, by fitting the outer ring member into the enlarged diameter portion provided in the center hole, the retainer and hub bearing can be made smaller and lighter.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a half-cut vertical cross-sectional view showing an axle support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a half-cut vertical cross-sectional view showing a conventional example.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the outer side in the vehicle width direction is shown as out, and the inner side is shown as in.

FIG. 1 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to an axle support structure A that supports an axle 4 of a rear wheel as a drive shaft. In FIG. 1, members or portions that are the same or equivalent to those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals.

A hub bearing 3 is supported via a retainer 2 to a rear axle beam end 11 as a vehicle body side member 1. The retainer 2 holds a magnetic encoder 5, which will be described later, and also has the role of positioning the hub bearing 3 in the direction perpendicular to the axle axis. This retainer 2 is an annular member surrounding the hub bearing 3, and has a circumferential portion for fastening the outer ring member 31 of the hub bearing 3 with the rear axle beam end 11 in between, via a flange 311 provided on the retainer 2. A plurality of boss portions 21 are provided through which bolts 211 are inserted, and a center hole 22 through which the axle 4 passes is formed in the center.

The hub bearing 3 has an outer ring member 31 and an inner ring member 32, and rolling elements 33 are interposed between the outer ring member 31 and the inner ring member 32. The inner ring member 32 is integrated with the axle 4, so that the axle 4 can rotate around its central axis (axle axis L). A flange 322 in which bolts 321 for attaching a wheel (not shown) are embedded is formed at the outer end of the inner ring member 32 in the vehicle width direction.

An enlarged diameter portion 221 is formed in the outer portion 22a of the center hole 22 of the retainer 2 in the vehicle width direction. The enlarged diameter portion 221 has a cylindrical enlarged diameter inner surface 221a and an abutment surface 221b perpendicular to the axle axis L, and has an L-shaped notch formed by these surfaces. The cylindrical enlarged diameter inner surface 221a and the contact surface 221b are formed by precision machining in order to accurately position the hub bearing 3 with respect to the retainer 2 in the vehicle width direction and in the direction perpendicular to the axle axis L, as described later. Ru.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cylindrical outer surface 312 located at the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the outer ring member 31 is tightly fitted to the cylindrical enlarged diameter inner surface 221a of the enlarged diameter portion 221, and is in contact with the inner end surface 313 of the outer ring member 31 in the vehicle width direction, and as a result, the hub bearing 3 is properly positioned relative to the retainer 2 in the vehicle width direction and in the orthogonal direction to the axle axis L. It will be held in

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 5 indicates a magnetic encoder located inside the hub bearing 3 in the vehicle width direction and arranged between the outer ring member 31 and the inner ring member 32. The magnetic encoder 5 constitutes one element of vehicle speed detection means. When the vehicle is running, the magnetic encoder 5 rotates together with the inner ring member 32. At this time, a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) receives the magnetic force generated from the magnetic encoder 5 and generates an output signal. The output signal is inputted to a predetermined control device (not shown) via the retainer 2, and is used for various travel control and the like.

In order to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the area where the magnetic encoder 5 described above is arranged, a dust ring 41 that reduces the gap between the center hole 22 of the retainer 2 and the axle 4 stands up from the outer surface of the axle 4. However, in this embodiment, the relationship between the dust ring 41 and the center hole 22 of the retainer 2 is particularly configured as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, an additional enlarged diameter portion 222 is formed in the inner portion 22b of the center hole 22 in the vehicle width direction. This additional enlarged diameter portion 222 has a cylindrical enlarged diameter inner surface 222a and a stepped portion 222b perpendicular to the axle axis L, and is preferably formed at an outer portion 22a of the center hole 22 in the vehicle width direction. The shape is similar to that of the portion 221, that is, the shape is symmetrical to the enlarged diameter portion 221 in the thickness direction of the retainer 2. By arranging the dust ring 41 close to the stepped portion 222b of the additional enlarged diameter portion 222, a labyrinth is formed and the effect of preventing intrusion of foreign matter is enhanced.

Next, the operation of the axle support structure A having the above configuration will be explained.

When assembling the hub bearing 3 to the retainer 2, the inner end surface 313 of the outer ring member 31 in the vehicle width direction comes into contact with the contact surface 221b formed in the enlarged diameter part 221 of the center hole 22 of the retainer 2, so that the hub bearing 3 is attached to the retainer 2. It can be used to position the hub bearing 3 in the vehicle width direction (axle axis direction). The enlarged diameter portion 221, which is also related to the positioning of the hub bearing 3 in the direction perpendicular to the axle axis relative to the retainer 2, is precisely machined, so the positioning of the hub bearing 3 in the vehicle width direction can also be done without using a spacer or the like. , done accurately. As a result, an increase in the number of man-hours for assembling the support structure A of the axle 4 and an increase in the number of parts are not caused.

The positioning of the retainer 2 and the hub bearing 3 in the direction perpendicular to the axle axis is determined by the cylindrical enlarged diameter inner surface 221a of the enlarged diameter portion 221 provided in the center hole 22 of the retainer 2 and the cylindrical outer surface of the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the outer ring member 31. This is done by fitting with 312. Since the axial length of the enlarged diameter portion 221 is shorter than the entire length of the center hole 22, the precision machining area required for accurate positioning is small, and machining costs can be suppressed.

Compared to fitting the outer ring member 31 of the hub bearing 3 into the center hole 22 of the retainer 2, by fitting the outer ring member 31 of the hub bearing 3 into the enlarged diameter portion 221 provided at the end of the center hole 22, the retainer 2 can be fitted into the center hole 22 of the hub bearing 3. It is possible to shorten the distance (bolt pitch) P between the bolt 211 and the axle axis L, which are fastened together with the outer ring member 31 to the rear axle beam end 11, and the retainer 2 and hub bearing 3 can be made smaller and lighter. Can be done. Moreover, this makes it possible to meet needs such as the desire to install wheels with a smaller diameter.

Furthermore, since the center hole 22 of the retainer 2 is formed with an enlarged diameter portion 221 and an additional enlarged diameter portion 222 that are symmetrical in the thickness direction, the retainer 2 can be used in common for left and right wheels. The cost of the supporting structure A can be reduced.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and all modifications within the scope of the claims are included within the scope of the present invention.

Although the above-described embodiments are directed to a rear wheel axle as a driving wheel, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a rear wheel axle as a driven wheel or a front wheel axle as a steered wheel.

A Support structure L Axle shaft 1 Vehicle side member 11 Rear axle beam end 2 Retainer 21 Boss portion 211 Bolt 22 Center hole 22a Vehicle widthwise outer portion 22b Vehicle widthwise inner portion 221 Expanded diameter portion 221a Cylindrical expanded diameter inner surface 221b Contact surface 222 Additional enlarged diameter portion 222a Cylindrical enlarged diameter inner surface 222b Step portion 3 Hub bearing 31 Outer ring member 311 Flange 312 Cylindrical outer surface 313 Inner end surface in vehicle width direction 32 Inner ring member 321 Bolt 322 Flange 33 Rolling element 4 Axle 41 Dust ring 5 Magnetic encoder

Claims (1)

The outer ring member of the hub bearing is supported via a retainer that is connected to the vehicle body side member and has a center hole extending in the axle axial direction , and the axle passing through the center hole is integrated with the inner ring member of the hub bearing. In an axle support structure that rotatably supports an axle,
An enlarged diameter part is provided on the outer part of the center hole in the vehicle width direction, with which the inner end surface of the outer ring member comes into contact and has a contact surface perpendicular to the axle axis. An additional enlarged diameter part is provided in the inner part and is symmetrical in the thickness direction of the enlarged diameter part and the retainer, and the additional enlarged diameter part is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the axle and stands up radially outward. An axle support structure characterized by a dust ring arranged to protect the axle.

Images